Tent with internal lights

ABSTRACT

A system for illuminating an interior of a tent with one or more lights is disclosed. The system includes one or more light strips that are attached to a seam between two panels of the tent. The light strips are located on an interior surface of the tent. A light strip may include one or more light sources, such as an LED light.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to tents, such as camping tents, that have An LED lighting strip integrated into one or more seams.

Proper illumination is a critical issue when camping. Flashlights may suffice for illuminating a small area, but they are not suited to providing light for a large area, such as a picnic table or a tent. Electric and/or gas lanterns are commonly used to light larger outdoor areas. In an outdoor setting, a lantern can be attached to an overhead structure, placed on a table, or suspended from a long pole or other structure.

Inside a tent, however, lanterns are not as useful. Gas lanterns simply cannot be used in a tent due to heat and combustion products. Electric lanterns and even flashlights are difficult to affix to a tent's ceiling, and the light they provide is never adequate. The floor of a tent does not provide a stable surface, like a tabletop, for a lantern. Lanterns and flashlights frequently fall over or become blocked by clothing, sleeping bags, or other gear.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system illuminated an interior of a tent with one or more lights that are permanently affixed to the tent. The system includes a tent and a lighting strip. The tent includes a seam joining two panels. The lighting strip is connected to the seam and configured to illuminate an interior of the tent. The lighting strip includes a light source. The lighting strip is further configured to receive power from a power source and to have its power state controlled by a switch.

According to an additional embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for assembling a tent with an interior light source includes creating a seam by joining two panels. The method also include attaching a lighting strip to the seam so that the lighting strip is positioned to illuminate an interior of a tent. The lighting strip includes a light source. The lighting strip is configured to receive power from a power source and to have its power state controlled by a switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the present invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with an illuminated interior.

FIG. 2 shows an electrical diagram of a DC voltage source.

FIG. 3 shows an electrical diagram of an AC voltage source.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with an illuminated exterior.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

By way of example, and referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a tent 10 with one or more lighting strips 12. The tent 10 may include two or more panels 14, such as wall panels 14A and floor panels 14B. Other types of panels 14, such as ceiling panels, are possible and may be used with the present invention. Adjacent panels 14 may be joined at a seam 16, and a seam 16 may have a light strip 12 connected to it. The light strip 12 may be connected to the seam 16 and/or panels 14 by thread, adhesive, or any other suitable process. A light strip 12 may include one or more light sources 20. A light source 20 may include one or more light-emitting diodes (LED) or other suitable light source. A light strip 12 may be connected to a seam 16 so that the light sources 20 illuminate an interior of the tent 10. In other words, a light strip may be located on an interior surface of the tent 10. A light strip 12 may be connected to a cord 22, which may provide power from a power source 24. A switch 26 may be associated with the cord 22, power source 24, or both. The switch 26 may control a power state of the light strip 12, such as whether the light sources 20 are on or off.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the power source 24 may include an alternating current (AC) power supply, a direct current (DC) power supply, or both. For example, a DC power supply may include one or more battery packs 30, which may be connected in series, in parallel, or in a combination thereof. For example, an AC power supply may include AC power lines 32 and a ground wire 34, which may be connected to a rectifier 36. The rectifier 36 may convert AC power to DC power, which may be transmitted using DC wiring 38. An electrical connector 40 may connect the rectifier 36 to a light strip 12.

Referring to FIG. 4, one or more light strips 40 may be located on an exterior surface of the tent 10. An exterior light strip 40 may provide illumination for an area adjacent to the tent 10. An exterior light strip 40 may also make it easier to find the tent 10 or campsite after dark. The exterior light strips 40 may be in addition to or as an alternative to interior light strips 12. As with interior light strips 12, exterior light strips 40 may be connected to a power cord 22 and power supply 24. An exterior light strip 40 may be controlled by the switch 26, but activation of the the exterior light strip 40 may be independent of the power state of an interior light strip 12. Exterior light strips 40 may include one or more light sources 20, which may include one or more LEDs or other suitable light source. Both interior and exterior light strips 40 may utilize white or colored light sources 20. For example, red light sources 20 may be used to avoid or reduce eyes adjusting to illuminated conditions or to have a minimal impact on nocturnal wildlife. Different colors, such as, e.g., white and red, may be mixed between light strips 12, 40 or within one light strip 12, 40. Different colors may be controlled by independent switches or settings on the switch 26.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the present invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above. 

1. A system for illuminating an interior and an exterior of a tent, the system comprising: a tent comprising a first seam joining two panels; and a first lighting strip connected to an interior of the seam and configured to illuminate an interior of the tent, the first lighting strip comprising a light source, the first lighting strip electrically coupled to a power source and to have its power state controlled by a switch; and a second lighting strip connected to an exterior of the seam and configured to illuminate an exterior of the tent, the second lighting strip comprising a second light source and electrically coupled to the power source and to have a second lighting strip power state controlled by the switch; wherein a first mode of operation, the first lighting strip is switched on and the second lighting strip is switched off to enable locating the tent in darkness; wherein a second mode of operation, the first lighting strip is switched off and the second lighting strip is switched on to conceal the tent in the darkness while illuminating the interior of the tent.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first lighting strip comprises a plurality of light sources.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a light-emitting diode.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises at least one of a battery, an electrical outlet, and a generator.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising: the tent comprising an optional second seam joining two panels; and a second lighting strip connected to at least one of the first seam and the optional second seam, the second lighting strip configured to illuminate an exterior of the tent, the second lighting strip comprising a light source, the second lighting strip further configured to receive power from the power source and to have its power state controlled by the switch.
 6. A method for assembling a tent with an interior light source, the method comprising: creating a first seam by joining two panels; and attaching a first lighting strip to the first seam so that the first lighting strip is positioned to illuminate an interior of a tent, the first lighting strip comprising a light source, the first lighting strip configured to receive power from a power source and to have its power state controlled by a switch; attaching a second lighting strip connected to an exterior of the seam and configured to illuminate an exterior of the tent, the second lighting strip comprising a second light source and electrically coupled to the power source and to have a second lighting strip power state controlled by the switch; providing a first mode of operation, the first lighting strip is switched on and the second lighting strip is switched off to enable locating the tent in darkness; providing a second mode of operation, the first lighting strip is switched off and the second lighting strip is switched on to conceal the tent in the darkness while illuminating the interior of the tent.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first lighting strip comprises a plurality of light sources.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the light source comprises a light-emitting diode.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the power sources comprises at least one of a battery, an electrical outlet, and a generator.
 10. The method of claim 6, further comprising: creating an optional second seam by joining two panels; and attaching a second lighting strip to at least one of the first seam and the optional second seam, the second lighting strip configured to illuminate an exterior of the tent, the second lighting strip comprising a light source, the second lighting strip further configured to receive power from the power source and to have its power state controlled by the switch. 